Re: 77 23' Savage
 

You are likely right, however. I witnessed a teenager jumping into a Donzi equiped with an I/O tied to a dock on Lake Murray in SC. He didn't run the blower and immediately turned the key. The explosion not only destroyed the boat but killed the boy and injured a near by observer.

As contributed on another thread on this site, my personal policy is to run the blower for 5 minutes WITH the engine cover lifted with no one else aboard, if at all possible, prior to cranking the engine.

As I said, Just me 2 cents.

Re: 77 23' Savage
 

in my boat I have two hoses on each side ,

1 on each side that goes between the hull and liner near the stern that naturally asperates(sp), and the other two that run directly in the main bilge and on one side I have the blower installed (exhausting outward. ) Nothing works better than a sniff test- one before starting, one before and after fueling. The bl=ilge blower motors are sealed so no sparks from them. You dont want to be turning other switches on and off while fueling though. craig

Quick Update
 

Been on vacation, but back now and boat is progressing again. Have the bilge painted and new motor in. Found a local guy to do the console and he's filling all the holes so it will be a blank canvas to re-fit. Waiting on just that now before maiden run.

Mechanic ran the engine before he put it in and said it sounds great! Can't wait to get it out on the water.

New motor with old tranny attached.
http://www.dolnik.com/images/blog/p1010170.jpg

I also pulled out all the old wire today and will start the re-wire this weekend. The previous owner had used some kind of garden hose as bilge pump hoses, I also pulled all that out.
http://www.dolnik.com/images/blog/p1010171.jpg

Re: Quick Update
 

Console painted and starting to get fitted out. Big difference without a thousand holes in it!

http://www.dolnik.com/images/blog/p1010175.jpg